Recently, the Union Minister of Commerce & Industry during his address at the International Innovation Conclave organised by the PHD Chamber of Commerce & Industry (PHDCCI)said that the government is ready to promote the drone industry that has seen rapid growth in the last three years.
What is Namo Drone Didi’s initiative?
- Under the initiative, rural women are trained to become drone pilots for agricultural purposes.
- The initiative aims to enhance economic empowerment and financial autonomy among women, especially in rural areas.
- The initiative aims to equip 15,000 women-led Self-Help Groups (SHGs) with agricultural drones to assist in tasks such as crop monitoring, spraying fertilisers and sowing seeds.
- This will also provide additional income opportunities for many women
What are Self Help Groups?
- Self Help Groups (SHGs): These are small groups of people. The members of an SHG face similar problems. They help each other to solve their problems.
- Giving Credit to members: SHGs promote small savings among their members.
- The savings are kept with the bank.
- This is the common fund in the name of the SHG.
- The SHG gives small loans to its members from its common fund
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Benefits of drones in the agriculture sector
Here are some of the key benefits of using drones in agriculture:
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What are drones?
- Drones are small or medium-sized unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).
- They’re unique in that they can drive remotely and autonomously, and they’re capable of maintaining a controlled, sustained level of flight.
- The drone system combines robotics with aeronautics.
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- Improved efficiency: Drones can cover large areas of land quickly and efficiently, allowing farmers to gather data and monitor crops more effectively.
- This can help to identify issues early, leading to faster and more effective interventions.
- Enhanced crop yields: Drones can be used to gather data on crop health, allowing farmers to identify areas that require attention.
- By addressing these issues, farmers can improve their crop yields and increase their profits.
- Reduced costs: Drones can help to reduce costs by identifying areas of the farm that require attention, reducing the need for manual labour and reducing the use of pesticides and other chemicals.
- Improved accuracy: Drones can capture high-resolution images and data, providing farmers with a detailed view of their crops.
- This can help to identify areas that require attention and ensure that interventions are targeted and effective.
Challenges of adopting drone technology in the agriculture sector
Here are some of the key challenges:
- Fear of job loss: Many farmers are concerned that the adoption of drone technology will lead to job loss, as fewer workers will be needed to perform manual labour on the farm.
- Lack of knowledge and training: Farmers may not have the knowledge or training necessary to operate drones effectively.
- This can make it difficult for them to adopt this technology, as they may not be confident in their ability to use it.
- Cost: Drones can be expensive, and many farmers may not have the financial resources to invest in this technology.
- Regulatory barriers: There may be regulatory barriers to the use of drones in agriculture, which could make it difficult for farmers to adopt this technology.
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Ways To Solve The Lack Of Knowledge And Training
- Digital India campaign
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- It aims to provide digital infrastructure and connectivity to rural areas.
- This initiative includes a focus on training and education, which could help to address the lack of knowledge and training among farmers.
- Number of organizations and initiatives that are focused on promoting the use of drone technology in agriculture.
- For example, the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has established a Centre for Precision and Farming Technologies, which is focused on promoting precision agriculture technologies, including drones.
July 6, 2024